Game having captured marble exposed for digital manipulation

ABSTRACT

A plurality of side by side cylindrical bores are each drilled from a vertical edge of a block with one edge of each bore adjacent a planar and major surface of the block. At least some of the bores are partially exposed to the surface of the block by routing out a channel to expose less than a diameter of the cylindrical bore through the major surface to the exterior of the block. Spheres having a diameter less than that of the bore, but greater than that of the channel, are inserted interior of the bore. The bore is plugged at its end to trap the spheres. The spheres are thus held within the bore and yet exposed to external view and digital manipulation through the routed channel. According to one aspect of the invention, transverse ridges and valleys interior of the bore can be used to hold the spheres in preselected positions for marking turns in the game relating to sequential movement of a plurality of spheres in a plurality of exposed bores. According to another aspect of the invention, two exposed passages can be communicated to a hidden passageway and trap; through manipulation of observed spheres and each marked with different indicia, the order of spheres can be changed.

' United States Patent Gonzales et al.

[ GAME HAVING CAPTURED MARBLE EXPOSED FOR DIGITAL MANIPULATION Inventors: Michael Gonzales, Sebastopol;

Richard H. Benton; William G. Moore, both of Mill Valley, all of Calif.

Leland Dibble, Jr., Santa Rosa, Calif.

Filed: June 23, 1972 Appl. No.: 265,895

Related 1.1.8. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 158,002, June 29, 1971, Pat. No. 3,706,457.

[73] Assignee:

11/1916 Trull 273/153 SUX D203,176 12/1965 Kardach 273/153 S UX 3,689,074 9/1972 Gonzales et al. 273/153 S UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 348,943 2/1922 Germany 273/13 S Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or FirmTownsend and Townsend [57] ABSTRACT A plurality of side by side cylindrical bores are each drilled from a vertical edge of a block with one edge of each bore adjacent a planar and major surface of the block. At least some of the bores are partially exposed to the surface of the block by routing out a channel to expose less than a diameter of the cylindrical bore through the major surface to the exterior of the block. Spheres having a diameter less than that of the bore, but greater than that of the channel, are inserted interior of the bore. The bore is plugged at its end to trap the spheres. The spheres are thus held within the bore and yet exposed to external view and digital manipulation through the routed channel. According to one aspect of the invention, transverse ridges and valleys interior of the bore can be used to hold the spheres in preselected positions for marking turns in the game relating to sequential movement of a plurality of spheres in a plurality of exposed bores. According to another aspect of the invention, two ex posed passages can be communicated to a hidden passageway and trap; through manipulation of observed spheres and each marked with different indicia, the order of spheres can be changed.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures GAME HAVING CAPTURED MARBLE EXPOSED FOR DIGITAL MANIPULATION This application is a division of application Ser. No. 158,002, filed June 29, 1971, and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,457.

This invention relates to adult games and puzzles. More specifically, it relates to a process and apparatus whereby spheres captured within a bore interior of an integral block of material, such as wood, are exposed for observation as well as digital manipulation.

Puzzles and adult games having passageways with captured spheres are known. Such puzzles, however, are commonly manufactured by building the passageways of the puzzle with the sphere inside from a great many separate and discrete parts. As the assembly of separate and discrete parts is a time consuming and labor consuming and thus expensive process, such puzzles are no longer manufactured in great quantities.

It is an object of this invention to disclose a new type of puzzle having a captured sphere in which the passageways are constructed from a single block of material. Accordingly, a bore is made from the edge of a typically square block parallel to and adjacent an exposed major planar surface of the block. A channel is routed to expose less than half of the diameter of the bore to the major block surface typically along less than all of the length of the bore. By inserting a sphere of diameter less than that of the bore but greater than that of the routed channel, the sphere may be captured in the channel and yet exposed to view.

An advantage of this invention is that the process of manufacture includes the steps of boring the block, routing the channel, inserting the spheres, and plugging the bore. Rapid and inexpensive manufacture from a single block of material, such as hardwood is possible.

Another advantage of this invention is that the channel exposing the spheres interior of the bore can be made wide enough for digital manipulation of the captured spheres. A game is produced in which captured moving parts can be simultaneously observed by the eye and manipulated by the finger.

Yet another object of this invention is to configure the channel exposing the bore to permit maximum penetration of the finger while at the same time securely holding the sphere captured interior of the bore. According to this aspect of the invention, the channel is flared outwardly and upwardly from the bore at its lower and narrow end to the surface of the block at its upper and widened end.

A further object of this invention is to configure the bore so that captured spheres can be moved to any preselected location along the axial length of the bore and held in that location. According to this aspect of the invention the bore is configured with a plurality of ridges and valleys, the ridges and valleys being transverse of the longitudinal axis of the bore. Spheres rolled along the bore between two ridges come to rest in a valley and resist the tendency to gravitationally roll from their manipulated position. I

An advantage of this ridge and valley construction is that it permits the captured spheres to be moved to variable and spaced locations one from another to mark turns or moves in a game.

Yet another object of this invention is to disclose a game in which two channels having captured and exposed spheres for digital manipulation are communicated by a passageway and trap for receiving and communicating the spheres between the two exposed passageways.

An advantage of the passageway and trap is that the order of spheres marked with varying indicia can be changed.

Yet a further advantage of this invention is that when the spheres are marked with different indicia numerous games can be played relating to the order of the exposed and captured spheres.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single block of material partially broken away and showing three side-byside bores to illustrate the steps of boring the block, routing a channel to expose a portion of the bore, and inserting a sphere and plugging the bore to capture the sphere interior of the block;

FIG. 2 is an elevation section normal to a passageway interior of the block illustrating how a sphere is captured and yet permitted to move interior of the bore and channel of this invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates in perspective a section of a bore with a plurality of ridges and valleys configured transversely of the bore, opposite the exposed channel, for maintaining the spheres at preselected manipulated positions along the length of the bore;

FIG. 4 illustrates the invention incorporated into a game for marking the sequential movement of a plurality of spheres interior of three side-by-side exposed bores fabricated according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another game incorporating this invention in which two exposed channels are communicated by a passageway and trap; and,

FIG. 6 is a plan section through the puzzle of FIG. 5 illustrating the exposed portions of the passageway in broken lines and the hidden communicating passage way and trap in solid lines.

Referring to FIG. 1, block A is shown with three bores l4, l6 and 18 sequentially illustrative of the process of manufacturing the apparatus of this invention. As can be seen in FIG. 4, a routed channel B communicates to captured spheres C permitting observation by the eye and digital manipulation of the spheres by a finger D.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the detailed construction of this invention can be set forth.

The first step is to obtain a solid block A of integral material such as hardwood. Typically, the block has six surfaces and is square at the intersection of each surface with an adjacent surface. Typically, the block is provided with top and bottom major surfaces 20 and 22, respectively.

The preferred materials for the block according to this invention is black walnut. This hardwood has a low expansion factor and does not change its dimensions appreciably when the puzzle is exposed to varying ambients. Preferably, this black walnut is kiln dried or otherwise aged to remove all ambient moisture from the wood.

The second step of the manufacture of this invention comprises drilling a plurality of bores from one edge 24 of block A partially into but not through the block. As

here shown, drilled bore 14 terminates at an end 26 which is short of rear block edge 28.

Referring to a second drilled bore 16, the third step in the construction of this puzzle consisting of routing channel B is illustrated. Channel B consists of a routed channel in major surface 20 of block A. This channel communicates to the major surface 20 of block A at its upper end and communicates to the sidewalls of the cylindrical bore 16 at its lower end. It is formed in anticipation of drilled bore 16 receiving one or more spheres C.

With reference to FIG. 2 several observations can be made about channel B. First, channel B at its lower end, where it communicates with the sidewalls of cylindrical bore 18, exposes less than half the diameter of the bore. This exposure of less than half the diameter of the bore permits sphere C to be captured interior of the bore 18 and yet exposed to view.

Secondly, the bottom width of the routed channel B as communicated to the cylindrical bore 16 has a width less than a diameter of sphere C. With this dimension, sphere C is retained within bore 16 and yet prevented from falling outwardly of the bore through channel B.

Additionally, from bore 18 and the lower edge 30 of the bore channel 8 flares upwardly and outwardly to the major surface 20 of block A. This flaring gives channel B a taper permitting maximum penetration of a finger D into the bore 16 so that a sphere can be positioned. (See FIG. 4).

Returning to FIG. 1, it will beseen that channel B is rounded at each of its ends 35. Ends 35 are given this configuration so that a finger has maximum access to the bore along that portion of its exposed length.

It should be pointed out at this juncture that channel B is extremely easy of construction to those having skill in the woodworking art. For example, a routing tool having the cross-sectional configuration of channel B and mounted on a high speed router will instantly construct such a channel. Naturally, such a tool, guided by a conventional template and jig can rapidly produce such a channel.

Returning to FIG. 1, the third step of this invention is illustrated. Typically, sphere C is inserted interior of the bore 16. As has been previously mentioned, sphere C has a diameter less than that of the bore 16 but greater than that of the distance across the lower por tions of channel B.

It should be realized, that his often advantageous to insert one or more spheres interior of each bore. Naturally, this may be simply done.

As a fourth step in the manufacture of this invention, a birch plug 40, typically dipped in glue, is inserted at the end 42 of bore 16. The plug is typically lodged so that it fully plugs the bore. As can be seen with reference to. plugged bore 18, sphere or marbles C interior of the bore are thus firmly captured.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, two different modifications of the bore of this invention are disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the woodworking art that the router cutting tool used in forming channel B could be provided with an extended shank that penetrates interior of bore 18. This extended shank could route out and flatten or square off the bottom portion 45 of the cylindrical bore. Such a construction is shown in FIG. 1 in the broken-away portion of bore 18.

Additionally, it is possible to provide the bottom of one of the bores with a sequential ridge 47 and valley 49 construction. These ridges 47 and valleys 49 are typ ically made by inserting a punch through the routed channel before the spheres C are inserted. The punch, when impressed into the material of the block leaves a group of sequential ridges and valleys behind.

These ridges 47 and valleys 49 serve to capture spheres C at preselected positions along the channel. Typically, the spheres C will gravitationally come to rest between two ridges 47 in a valley 49. As shown in FIG. 1, the ridges 47 and valleys 49 are configured in the flat routed out bottom portion of bore 18. As shown in the perspective of FIG. 3, the ridges are shown configured in the sidewalls of a cylindrical bore.

Referring to FIG. 4, one game which can be fabricated utilizing this invention is illustrated. Bore 14 is shown completely constructed and plugged with six spheres C captured within it. Similarly, bore 16 is shown with five spheres and bore 18 shown with four spheres.

FIG. 4 illustrates a logic game typically played by two people. The block is placed with its major surface 20 level. All balls are moved to one end of the bores. Players alternate turns and move spheres C to opposite sides. Each player may move any number of spheres in any one row during each turn. Spheres may only be moved once and are all moved in the same direction. In any one row, one or more spheres may be moved. The object of the game is for one player to force the other player, his opponent, to move the last sphere C.

It is important to note that this particular game is old. However, the construction and fabrication of the apparatus with which the game is played is new.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 an additional embodiment of this invention is illustrated. Typically, three bores 14, 16, and 18 are drilled under adjacent and parallel to the major surface 20 of block A. Typically, bores 14 and 18 are drilled a longitudinal distance under major surface 20 which is slightly greater than that from edge 24 which will accommodate five spheres C and a plug 40.

Bores 16' is modified. Typically, bore 16' is drilled a longitudinal distance under major surface 20 from edge 24 where it will accommodate four spheres C and a plug 40.

Bore 16' is typically not provided with a routed channel B. Instead, bore 16' is not exposed to major surface 20 of block A but rather remains hidden.

A single bore 60 is made'from the side edge 25 of block A. Typically, this bore is made adjacent the edge 24 through which bores l4, l6 and 18 have been made. As can be seen in the section of FIG. 6, bore 60 is parallel to and under major surface 20 and communicates the topmost portion of the respective bores 14, 16' and 18. Bore 60 typically is normal to bores 14, 16' and 18. It terminates at end 62 typically coextensive with the cylindrical sidewall of bore 18 furthest removed from edge 25.

Referring to the diagram of FIG. 6, routed channels B are shown schematically in broken lines. These routed channels expose for observation four of the spheres within the respective bores 14 and 18. The spheres within bore 16' and bore 60 are obscured and hidden from view.

To make the game illustrated in FIG. 6, spheres C are typically colored to give them indicia whereby they may be recognized. For example, the spheres marked X are colored red, the spheres marked Y are colored black and the sphere marked Z colored yellow. As can be seen by rapid count, there are four spheres marked X or red, four spheres marked Y or black and a single sphere marked Z or yellow. Typically, when the spheres have been inserted interior of the block through bore 60, a birch plug 40 dipped in glue is inserted in and completely seals the captured spheres interior of the block.

The puzzle construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the game that is played are both novel. The object of the game is to learn how to move the captured spheres with different indicia relative to one another to any desired position or observed sequential order. They can be arranged, for example, so that the four marbles exposed in each of the bores 14 and 18 are the same color. Or, the odd color sphere marked with the Z and colored yellow can be moved from the bottom of one chamber to the bottom of the other chamber.

It will be noted that the birch plugs and walnut body form a clue as to how the puzzle is constructed. A player of the puzzle will typically figure out first the construction of the puzzle. Then he will inquire as to how many balls are contained within the puzzle and what color they are. Finally, he will decide on the con figuration of traps or bore 16' which is hidden from his view and decide why the balls disappear. Finally, he will determine how many spheres C can be stored in the trap and what motion is required to store and transfer.

The alternatives for manipulating the spheres with the hands or digits in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 are numerous. For example, the spheres may merely be retained in the puzzle by holding them within either of the bores 14 or 18 through the routed channel B. Alternately the marbles may be moved upwardly so that they bear against the plug 40 at the end of an exposed channel 14. In this manner five spheres C can be trapped in one passageway. Moreover, and once a simple flipping motion is learned, spheres can be either inserted within the trap formed by bore 16' or alternately passed by the entrance of trap 16' along the passageway 60.

Mere placement or movement of the marbles in a given order, once mastered, does not necessarily end the utility of this game. For example, the game can be played with alternate players being timed in accomplishing certain preselected marble movements.

lt should be apparent to the reader that the channel herein disclosed can be used with any number of games. The two specific embodiments here shown have been used for purposes of illustration. For example, the bore of this invention could be made by a routing tool only, the tool serving to both place the bore in the block as well as route out a channel permitting inser tion of a finger. Moreover, the bores could be drilled along a surface of the block so that the channel was cut simultaneously. By the expedient of having more the half of the cylindrical section under the major surface of block, a channel capable of capturing a sphere could be formed. Moreover, the block could be made of plastie and formed with the aperture wholly or partially within it. Likewise, other modifications could be made without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising: a block of solid material, said block having an edge and a planar surface configured adjacent to said edge; a cylindrical bore defined interior of said block from said edge, said bore having the transverse section of said bore under said planar surface of said block and parallel to said surface; a sphere receivable in and placed interior of said bore, said sphere having a diameter less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of said bore to permit movement of said sphere longitudinally along the length of said bore; an open channel defined between the sidewalls of said bore adjacent said planar surface and the exterior of said block through said planar surface, said channel exposing at least a portion of the longitudinal length of said bore to view; said channel, as communicating to said bore, defining an opening to the exterior of said block less than the diameter of said sphere whereby said sphere is inhibited from moving from said bore through said channel to the exterior of said block; said channel tapering outwardly from the sidewalls of said bore to said planar surface, said channel having an upper width for permitting the insertion of a human finger interior of said bore to manipulate said sphere; and, means for plugging said bore inserted in said block at at least one end of said bore for restricting said sphere to a path within said bore.

2. Apparatus for playing a game comprising: a block of solid material, said block having an edge and a planar surface configured adjacent to said edge; three cylindrical bores defined interior of said block from said edge, each said bore having at least one half of the transverse section of said bore under said planar surface of said block and parallel to said surface; a plurality of spheres each receivable in and placed interior of each bore, each said sphere having a diameter less than the smallest cross-sectional dimensions of said bore into which it is placed to permit movement of said sphere longitudinally along the length of said bore; an open channel configured overlying each said bore; each open channel defined between the sidewalls of a respective one of said bores adjacent said planar surface through said planar surface, each said channel exposing a portion of the longitudinal length of said respective bore to view; each said channel tapering outwardly from the sidewalls of said respective bore to said planar surface, said channels each having an upper width for permitting the insertion of a human finger interior of said respective bore to manipulate said spheres placed therein; each said channel, as communicating to an underlying bore, defining an opening to the exterior of said block less than the minimum diameter of said spheres interior of each said bore whereby said spheres are inhibited from moving through said channel to the exterior ofsaid block; and means for plugging each said bore inserted in said block at least one end of each said bore for restricting said spheres to a path within said bore.

3. A process for constructing a game having a captured sphere comprising the steps of: providing a block of solid material; defining on said block a planar surface and an edge adjacent said planar surface; boring interior of said block a cylindrical aperture from one edge of said block into but not through said block, said aperture having the transverse section of said aperture thereof under said planar surface of said block; grooving a tapered channel from said planar surface of said block into communication with said bore, said channel said aperture at said end to restrict said sphere to a path tapering outwardly from said bore to said planar surwithin Said aperture face and Opemng to 52nd bore along an aperture less 7 4. The process of claim 3 and including the additional than one half the diameter of a preselected sphere; providing said preselected sphere having a diameter less than the smallest cross-sectional diameter of said bore; Portion of the aperture Opposing the Channelplacing said sphere interior of said aperture; plugging step of defining a plurality of ridges and valleys in that 

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising: a block of solid material, said block having an edge and a planar surface configured adjacent to said edge; a cylindrical bore defined interior of said block from said edge, said bore having the transverse section of said bore under said planar surface of said block and parallel to said surface; a sphere receivable in and placed interior of said bore, said sphere having a diameter less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of said bore to permit movement of said sphere longitudinally along the length of said bore; an open channel defined between the sidewalls of said bore adjacent said planar surface and the exterior of said block through said planar surface, said channel exposing at least a portion of the longitudinal length of said bore to view; said channel, as communicating to said bore, defining an opening to the exterior of said block less than the diameter of said sphere whereby said sphere is inhibited from moving from said bore through said channel to the exterior of said block; said channel tapering outwardly from the sidewalls of said bore to said planar surface, said channel having an upper width for permitting the insertion of a human finger interior of said bore to manipulate said sphere; and, means for plugging said bore inserted in said block at at least one end of sAid bore for restricting said sphere to a path within said bore.
 2. Apparatus for playing a game comprising: a block of solid material, said block having an edge and a planar surface configured adjacent to said edge; three cylindrical bores defined interior of said block from said edge, each said bore having at least one half of the transverse section of said bore under said planar surface of said block and parallel to said surface; a plurality of spheres each receivable in and placed interior of each bore, each said sphere having a diameter less than the smallest cross-sectional dimensions of said bore into which it is placed to permit movement of said sphere longitudinally along the length of said bore; an open channel configured overlying each said bore; each open channel defined between the sidewalls of a respective one of said bores adjacent said planar surface through said planar surface, each said channel exposing a portion of the longitudinal length of said respective bore to view; each said channel tapering outwardly from the sidewalls of said respective bore to said planar surface, said channels each having an upper width for permitting the insertion of a human finger interior of said respective bore to manipulate said spheres placed therein; each said channel, as communicating to an underlying bore, defining an opening to the exterior of said block less than the minimum diameter of said spheres interior of each said bore whereby said spheres are inhibited from moving through said channel to the exterior of said block; and means for plugging each said bore inserted in said block at least one end of each said bore for restricting said spheres to a path within said bore.
 3. A process for constructing a game having a captured sphere comprising the steps of: providing a block of solid material; defining on said block a planar surface and an edge adjacent said planar surface; boring interior of said block a cylindrical aperture from one edge of said block into but not through said block, said aperture having the transverse section of said aperture thereof under said planar surface of said block; grooving a tapered channel from said planar surface of said block into communication with said bore, said channel tapering outwardly from said bore to said planar surface and opening to said bore along an aperture less than one half the diameter of a preselected sphere; providing said preselected sphere having a diameter less than the smallest cross-sectional diameter of said bore; placing said sphere interior of said aperture; plugging said aperture at said end to restrict said sphere to a path within said aperture.
 4. The process of claim 3 and including the additional step of defining a plurality of ridges and valleys in that portion of the aperture opposing the channel. 